Does Your Religion "Bug You" or "Bless You"?

For many people in today’s world, their religion “bugs” them! Whenever they want a Sunday family picnic, the need to teach that Sunday School class of boys really “bugs” them. When they are tempted to take an over-payment of change at the store, their religious scruples “bug” them until they are miserable. And then, how about those times when they are asked to give generously to the missionary fund, and all those other things they’ve been wanting so much seem to be saying, “Why give it to missions anyway? You could really use it here!”

On the other hand, there are those who find that their faith doesn’t make them into a “sad-sack” Christian. They’re not fanatic tithers, but they have found the joy of tithing. They’re not complaining…because they could never be happier. They’ve found the excitement of the faith, not the drudgery of it.

A missionary was once asked if he enjoyed his work, and his answer was, “Not really. I don’t enjoy leaving home for years at a time, or casting my lot with people who will never challenge my intellectual abilities, but God help us, if we only do those things we ‘want’ to do. And yet,” he continued, “I am very happy in my task.”

My faith blesses me with sweet peace when I find myself trying to be on God’s side. I don’t have to cover up my actions. I don’t have to apologize for seeking to do good. I never have to bite my tongue when I act in kindness rather than in revenge. I can hold my head high and not in shame for seeking first the things of the Kingdom.

If you have only allowed your faith to “bug” you, it is a severe liability. But if that faith gives you peaceful sleep, a clean conscience, friends who trust you at your word, and happiness in assuming your share of the world’s responsibilities, then indeed it is worth all the treasures in the world.